Clashes broke out on Wednesday morning in the southern Somali town of Raskamboni, involving federal government forces and regional troops from Jubbaland, amid rising tensions surrounding a contested regional election.
The fighting, which lasted for several hours, subsided by midday, according to officials from both factions. This incident marks the latest outbreak of violence in the volatile Horn of Africa, an area frequently targeted by Islamic extremist attacks. Both parties have accused one another of provoking the conflict.
Information regarding the clashes and casualty figures remains sparse due to a telecommunications blackout in the region.
These confrontations highlight the growing divide between the federal government and the Jubbaland administration, raising concerns about potential further instability in this strategically important area near the Kenyan border.
Somalia’s federal forces are currently transitioning to assume control of the fight against the al-Qaida-affiliated militant group al-Shabab from an African Union peacekeeping mission, which has been operational since 2007 and is set to conclude at the end of the month.
The federal government has accused Jubbaland’s regional forces, under the leadership of Ahmed Madobe, of launching attacks on positions previously occupied by federal troops, which are deemed essential in the ongoing battle against al-Shabab.
The statement indicated that preparations were underway for operations against al-Shabaab militants.
Madobe has been reelected for a third term in the presidential election of Jubbaland, which took place on November 25. This third term is considered to contravene the term limits established by the federal government. The opposition in Jubbaland has challenged the election results and has established a parallel government.
A new mission from the African Union is anticipated to commence in January, featuring troops from contributing AU nations, with the exception of Ethiopia, due to ongoing disputes with Somalia regarding the breakaway region of Somaliland.
In the meantime, officials from Jubbaland have accused federal forces of instigating the conflict on Wednesday by targeting Jubbaland positions, claiming that the deployment of federal troops is part of a larger strategy to weaken the authority of the regional government.
“It is regrettable to witness military forces and vehicles intended for national defense being utilized against our own citizens,” stated Adan Ahmed Haji, the deputy security minister of Jubbaland, during a press conference in the port city of Kismayo.
Somalia’s defense ministry has alleged that Madobe coordinated his actions with al-Shabaab militants, facilitating the operations of Jubbaland forces in areas under the group’s control.
